St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-11-05

now and then, that young men or suscep-
tible tendencies are attracted by pretty
faces wherever seen, and are ready to act
as escort, and perhaps as patron on occa-
sions, there can be no doubt, but that
this is the rule it would be folly and con-
trary to fact to assert.
The girls live, they look well, they
average 81 week.
Now, how do they do it?
In response to question, prominent
employer said 1--WE have to be very
strict with our girls. We insist upon
their being in the store at certain hour
and remaining until specified time,
with a distinct understanding that it
trade is brisk, particularly during holi-
day times, they must remain-no matter
how late the hour"
"Do you allow them anything extra"
ooh, no. We keep and pay them dur
ing the dull seasons of the year, when
there is very little to do; why shouldn't
they reciprocate and help US when there
is considerable to do?"
DO you allow them anything for sup
per at such times?"
"Certainly not
"But they lose their own at home"
ooh, well, what is the use of going
into that? If she doesn't like her place
all she has to do is to step down and out.
We have scores of applications every
week"
'In case of illness what is your rule ?"
"Well, the strict rule by which we are
governed is no work, no pay. There is
difference. Some girls are hired by the
year, some by the month, but majority
by the week. If one of the first named
should be i'll for few days there would
be no deduction made; if she were to re-
main away more than week, however,
unless she were very valuable woman,
she would receive half pay only"
"For how long?"
ooh, that depends entirely upon the
individual. The rule would be for
month at furthest, but the others would
have to be without their pay while alb
sent. You see it would be a very easy
matter to fill the places with girls, and
we are put to serious Inconvenience when
they stay away, which is quite sufficient
set-otf for their loss of pay. In the case
of good, bright, smart girl we would
keep the place open for her; but, as
dl tllluS, IL Rll1 ID away WV SA
three days we take it for granted that
she has either found another place, OF,
without entering into tive don't keep the
place for her"
Are they satisfied, do you think, with
the money that you pay"
II dare say they would like more, but
in our business, as in every other we'll
regulated occupation, compensation is
regulated by the law of supply and
demand You see there is really very
little responsibility upon these girls
They have nothing to think of. A GUS
toner asks and they answer question.
She wants to see this, that or the other.
They show it, The price is plainly
marked, and all the girl has to do is to
pay attention. No man who values the
reputation of his store will countenance
his girls in soliciting customers to buy.
1t is nuisance which is very rarely
effective and never profitable. OF course
there is a difference between ordinary
girls and practiced, high-priced sales
man or saleswoman. They have tact
enough to adroitly display or quietly
suggest without extensively thrusting
bargain before a customers eyes; but
these little girls are like SO many colts"
You say you don't pay them while
they are ILL., How do they live?"
"Well, don't know that that is any Of
my business, beyond the fact that l am
careful in engaging girls. judge from
their appearance somewhat, and by their
recommendation great deal. We rarely
have girls come here who are strangers
to US all. Some of them have sisters OF
cousins or relatives or friends here al
ready, and, although / never thought
about it before, if they are i'll and COM
PEELED to stay away, the relative or friend
who thought enough of her to get her
the position will think enough of her to
take care of her"
Il suppose you consider yourself con-
siderate employer
"Yes, indeed very rarely speak to
the girls. know them, of course, but /
have very little to do with them. They
are under the control of the floor
walker in each department., who is re-
sponsible for the discipline, and although
he has no power to discharge, his recon-
mendation would be acted upon ninety
nine times in hundred"
1t is noticeable fact that in almost all
the large stores the Hebrew element is in
a vast majority. There are few candy
stores, millinery shops, boot and shoe
"emporiums" and restaurants where the
employees are not of the Hebrew persua-
sion. These are chiefly country girls
and women, but they are totally dis
tinct class from shop-girls of the period.
Shop-girls vary from fifteen to twenty
years of age, seventeen being q fair
average age. These are the girls
whom we see, bright and chippy and
full of fun upon the sidewalk, neatly
attired from top to toe, and
all apparently contented with their
lot, although, as an experienced employer
said, "There isn't a girl in this store who
doesn't expect to be married before she
is twenty years old, and the consequence
is that money is looked upon as means
to temporary end. They regard every
dollar they receive as so much spending
money. They don't pretend to save any
thing. don't know as they could il
they wanted to. Every penny outside Of
their board goes for clothing, the two
articles on which they lay the greatest
stress being their hats and their shoes, a
kind of perversion of the French the
DRY, I suppose, that "a woman well
gloved and well shod can go through the
world without criticism"
New York is great place, and her
mysteries have been the theme Of writers